Three Happening Holiday Ice Rinks in LA

Believe it or not, it does get chilly in the winter in LA–at least at night. And LA makes a respectable winter wonderland effort with holiday themed events and decorated neighborhoods. If you haven't reached holiday bliss yet, a visit to one of the local pop up ice rinks will make you feel like a kid at Christmas again. A couple rinks extend into January so you have plenty of time to show off your skills. Here are three in different neighborhoods each with their own vibe.

The closest rink to the beach is ICE in Downtown Santa Monica. The 8,000 square foot rink maintains the cozy beach town feel with an open sky and classic Christmas lights strewn about. Located at the corner of 5th and Arizona, they offer themed events, hockey clinics and skate lessons. ICE is open everyday and Friday and Saturday nights until midnight, making this a fun date night or birthday party idea for adults (if you're the birthday girl or boy, they let you skate for free). Admission and skate rentals are $12 and locker rentals are $5. The food isn't anything special—except for hot chocolate that hits the spot—but Santa Monica's culinary bounty awaits when your feet are fried and your appetite is ready.

As expected from the W Hotel, this Westwood rink is a luxury skating experience replete with private winter cabanas, disco lights and specialty cocktails and comfort foods at The Ice Bar. On Saturday nights there are performances by pro skater troop, StudioSK8. For double the fun, on Sundays you can find Sweet Lucie's Organic Ice Cream at the rink. On the weekends there is a children's design station where gingerbread cookie decorating keeps kids smiling. The rink is open every day until 10 pm and is $10 per guest for one hour of skating; it's gratis if you bring your own skates. And the best saved for last: CHILL has simulated snow fall over the rink every hour.

Surrounded by skyscrapers, the most affordable rink is located in Downtown LA in Pershing Square, across from the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. A one-hour skate is $6 and skate rental is $2. Open every day, the rink closes at 10 pm and has extended hours Dec. 19 through Jan. 2, when it will open at 10 am. It's Metro accessible (Pershing Square stop) and is within walking distance from some good restaurants like Towne Food & Drink, UMAMIcatessen and Pitfire Pizza. Free events include a winter concert series, a “It’s Christmas Snoopy!” mini showcase, championship skating exhibitions, Broomball games and more. If you go on a Wednesday, you can also peruse Pershing Square's Farmer's Market.

Sam Durbin (sami.7x7@gmail.com) is a California lifestyle writer who honed her blogging skills as Editor of FabSugar.com. Sam graduated from The Fashion Institute of Technology, and also writes for 7x7 Magazine, Zagat and PureWow.